The Tumaini Fund

The kids in this video live at the Ongata Rongai Special Care Home and Training Centre, located near Nairobi, Kenya. I met them when I was volunteering there for 6 weeks through an organization called NVS and absolutely fell in love. I have never met such happy, grateful, and loving people that survived on so little and suffered the way these kids had. These kids have been rescued from their homes due to abuse and neglect because of having severe intellectual and physical disabilities. I am raising money though The Tumaini Fund to buy basic needs like food, clothing, diapers/ sanitary pads, assistive equipment (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.), school supplies, and cleaning supplies. Also, I want to raise extra money to buy a bus so the kids can be transported to the hospital safely when needed and to be able to take them out and see the amazing things around Nairobi that they have never seen before. This home is run by an amazing group of people who volunteer their time and love to give these kids a safe home. These people have devoted their lives to taking care of kids who are not their own and receive no compensation. Without a means of income they rely on donations to feed, cloth, and educate these kids. When I volunteered there I helped cook meals, wash clothes, feed the kids, clean the house, and teach classes, among other things on a daily basis! There was always something that needed to be done and never enough of us to do it! The ladies there would be washing clothes all day because diapers were too expensive to buy. Before and after every meal the entire main area of the house would need to be sanitized. Because of all the work that goes into keeping these kids healthy, without extra volunteers, there is no one to interact or play with the kids or help teach classes. I am not a teacher but I found myself teaching a class of 15 students, all at completely different grade levels, with one tiny chalk board and no resources. It was the most amazing and difficult experience I have ever had and now I am going back again! I want to raise as much money before I go back so I can stock the home with food, clothes, diapers, school supplies, cleaning supplies, etc. to last them as long as possible. I am leaving for Kenya at the beginning of August and will be there for about 3 weeks as this is all I have off of school (I am completing my Masters in Speech Pathology in Edmonton right now!). Everyday that I am in Canada I worry about the kids back in Kenya, knowing that they may not have resources to buy food for the kids or that someone's sickness will get worse and the medical attention that they will need will be too expensive to get. 

If you would like more information about the home or to talk to other volunteers that have been there you can check out the link to our facebook page (Ongata Rongai Special Home Care and Training Centre) or contact me through gofundme. I am happy to answer any questions about the home, your donations, or myself! 

For anyone who donates I will send a thank you card signed by one of the kids with a picture of them! I can also provide pictures of the supplies bought with the money you donated! 

Thank you so much for your time and donations!